My “Every Day Hero” Dr. John Clark

Daniel is pictured in June at Cub Creek Animal Science Camp (Rolla, MO), where he spent a week learning about and caring for animals in a junior vet program.

Daniel with his brothers and sisters

My son wrote this paper for his 6th grade “Every Day Hero” assignment. Daniel started care under Dr. Clark when he was 10 months old (in 2002) up until last summer when we relocated to Arkansas. He now receives annual checkups at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, but our “emotional hearts” remain with Dr. Clark, Rosie and the rest of the staff at the Heart Center at Akron Children’s Hospital!

— Susan Jones

My “every day hero” is my cardiologist Dr. John Clark. I chose this amazing hero because he saved my life!

At 8 months old I passed out 3 times. My heart also stopped 3 times too. I was in the PICU for one week. Then I was diagnosed with bradycardia, syncope, and sinus arrest. I went under 2 surgeries; one to put in a pacemaker in my abdomen and one to take it out. I don’t remember the first because I was 10 months, old but I remember the second when I was 7.

He led all my surgeries. He has also helped other kids with some of the same conditions I had. He has saved many lives. He has been very nice every time I have seen him. I wish I could see him more often (in a good way). When I have had blood taken he had comforted me so I wouldn’t feel any pain.

If he wouldn’t have done any of those things I wouldn’t be typing this right now. I feel very fortunate for have such a great person in my life. He has helped me very much. I wish I could pay him back somehow. He also cheers you up with a joke or something funny he just says. I remember after my 2nd surgery seeing him. I felt drowsy from the anesthesia and he said some funny thing and I cracked up.

Since my last surgery I have been healthy and very athletic. I play for a travel soccer team. Most people see me as a regular kid but when they hear that they are surprised. Everybody that I show my scars to acts like it’s a huge deal, but it’s not to me I’m used to their reactions. I laugh sometimes.